Why so many thumbs down?

Question

I thought these were for when an answer is plainly wrong or something, but it seems people will use it whenever they would have answered differently. Now if one prefers tea over coffee, should one really deserve a thumbs-down because someone else prefers coffee?

Answer 1

its human tendancy madam, to be critical of everything outside our opinion. so, i think it boils down to that.

more so when our answer is given a thumbs down, then we tend to retaliate by giving the others a thumbs down too. just to get the steam out...........

Answer 2

My experience is whenever an answer is not the "ideal" answer in perfect harmony with the giver's viewpoint, the thumbs down is being used. Here is one of my answers where I stated the facts with a few websites as links. I received a thumbs down because it didn't agree with someone's beliefs: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArG9LUBwGhWL.yghKikkLHzsy6IX?qid=20061105151218AAVx4za
Although my answer did not "perfectly" address the question, anyone can read between the lines on how the the question was a non-issue within part of a big group.

I have also seen these used when someone answers something slightly inappropriate . . . either a ugly retort, adult content or other inappropriate response. The one time I think they do come in useful is when a person states hearsay as facts . . . then you need a thumbs down.

Answer 3

I agree! I have noticed that on many of these. I think it's really sad. Shouldn't those "thumbs down" icons be used for incorrect or truly BAD answers? A difference in opinion does not make an answer wrong. Now, I do think that telling a 14 year old child to sleep with someone is bad, or encouraging someone out of spite is horrible, but that again, is an opinion

Answer 4

Coffee

Answer 5

I completely agree. When an answer is abusive, totally off point or some other jokester/prank, then it deserves a thumb down. I sometimes give thumbs down if the answer gives really bad or wrong advice. BUT when a question is seeking opinions and people give them then it is against the spirit of a community message board to give thumbs down to opinions just because they differ from one's own.

Answer 6

Some answers are absolute. In those cases, it is easy to say "The answer is correct, and should not have gotten a 'thumbs down.'"

In the example you present (coffee vs. tea), it is an opinion, and therefore has no incorrect answer. In that case, there should be neither, as it is individual opinions.

In too many of the questions listed here (Answers for Yahooz!), they are biased baiting, usually political or religious in nature. In that case, people have a disposition to "thumbs up" the opinions which agree with theirs' and to "thumbs down" those which do not.

In most cases, the "thumbs down" should be used to penalize users who resort to insults (or worse) to inflame already volatile topics. Just my opinion, mind you.

Answer 7

Because people are ignorant fools! They dislike someone for thinking differently. They forget that everyone is entitled to an opinion. I will probably get a thumbs down on this answer.

Answer 8

Personally, I only give a thumbs down on opinion questions is it's obvious that the person has no idea what he or she is talking about or if the person answered a certain way just to get people mad.

Answer 9

I agree with you. I got a thumbs down recently just because my opinion was different than everyone else's, even though I did emphasize that I could understand the other person's point of view. The thumbs down should be used sparingly, I think.

Answer 10

Well probably because most of the questions asked on here are answered by opinions, not facts. If someone doesn't agree with your opinion, they give you a thumbs down.

Answer 11

I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU! People will usually give you thumbs down when they think your ideas or thoughts are "weird" or "controversial". People just don't like to hear the honest truth! Thumbs up to you for asking this question and everyone who answered!